Swiss drugmaker Novartis (VTX:NOVN.VX - News) expects to withstand competition from cheaper copies of its drugs after it posted forecast-beating second-quarter sales helped by its newest products. Novartis, which has a better track record than most rivals in bringing new drugs to market, hit an upbeat note on Tuesday about its recently launched multiple sclerosis pill Gilenya, which raked in $79 million from April to June. “Gilenya is turning out to be one of the most successful new product launches,” Chief Executive Joe Jimenez told reporters.
